Nottingham Forest return to Premier League action this evening (Monday) when they make the short trip to face Leicester City.
The Reds face their East Midlands rivals after a two-week break, in a fixture which has the makings of being an important match for both sides, as they currently occupy the bottom two places in the Premier League table.
Four Forest players (Mouusa Niakhate, Scott McKenna, Emmanuel Dennis and Morgan Gibbs-White) will need to be assessed before, having been forced to withdraw from their international squads.
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Steve Cooper was already facing some big calls over his starting XI. He needs to find a way of bringing a miserable run of four straight defeats to a halt.
Niakhate has been sidelined since the victory over West Ham United last month due to a hamstring problem. He was on the bench for Senegal on Saturday, but returned to the City Ground early, missing the Lions’ match against Iran on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Fellow centre-back McKenna pulled out of the Scotland camp with a knee strain. The 25-year-old has played every minute of the Reds’ campaign so far.
Cooper already had a key decision to make over his defence at the King Power Stadium. McKenna had started alongside Steve Cook and Willy Boly - the latter making his debut - against Fulham last time out, with skipper Joe Worrall dropping to the bench.
Another second half collapse saw Cook and Boly hooked after the visitors scored three goals in six minutes, with Worrall brought on. Forest did look better for the change, and that leaves Cooper potentially considering a switch to a four-man back line next week as he tries to tighten things up. He also has Loic Bade waiting in the wings to make his first appearance.
Changes could also be made in midfield. If a system alteration is considered, adding an extra man in the centre of the pitch could provide more protection for the defence.
It is an area of the pitch where the Reds are well stocked. Lewis O’Brien surely staked his claim for being brought back into the side with his impact as a substitute against the Cottagers. Whether Orel Mangala is fit enough to be in contention remains to be seen, after he suffered a setback in the build-up to the Fulham game.
Elsewhere in the team, getting the best out of his attacking options is a priority for Cooper. Gibbs-White withdrawing from England Under-21 duty has presented a problem for the Welshman, with him saying prior to the weekend that the attacker's situation is "not completely conclusive."
If fit, it seems likely Gibbs-White would start as he has generally looked bright this term. But if he misses out, it could pave the way for Jesse Lingard to come back into the starting line-up.
Predicted Forest XI (assuming none of the injury doubts are fit): Henderson; Williams, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Yates, Freuler, O’Brien; Johnson, Awoniyi, Lingard.
How should Forest line up against the Foxes? Have your say in the comments below
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